Comparison of methods to determine rivaroxaban anti-factor Xa activity.

Background And Objectives: Rivaroxaban, a new oral anti-Xa agent, has been approved for use without routine monitoring, but the lack of a predictable drug level measurement may hinder the management of anticoagulated patients. The aims of the project were to correlate a Anti-Factor Xa assay using commercial calibrators and controls (Riva Activity) with serum drug levels analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS (Riva MS) in patients currently receiving rivaroxaban, and secondly, to correlate the PT/PTT, thrombin generation (CAT assay) and Thromboelastograph (TEG) with the Riva activity and Riva MS.

Methods: Recruited patients receiving rivaroxaban prospectively had a total of 3 blood samples taken at least 2 hours apart. Plasma was divided for measurement of PT/PTT, Riva activity, rivaroxaban HPCL-MS/MS, and thrombin generation. TEG activity was measured at one random time point for each patient. Correlation and linear regression evaluations were used to compare the different assays.

Results: The cases were 22 patients on rivaroxaban, age 56+12.6, and 10 healthy controls. There was a strong correlation between Riva activity compared to serum Riva MS (r=0.99). We found a statistically significant correlation between PT/INR compared to serum measurements of Riva MS (r=0.68) and anti-Xa activity (r=0.69). The peak (r=-0.50) and lag time (r=0.57) CAT correlated with Riva MS measurements. There was no correlation between Riva MS and PTT, TEG R, TEG MA, Endogenous Thrombin potential.

Conclusion: Riva anti-factor Xa activity assay measured with commercial calibrators and controls provides a reliable assessment of rivaroxaban serum levels for patients requiring measurement of anticoagulant activity. Correlation with other coagulation tests is not sufficiently strong to be used clinically.